Research Area: Climate Change and Development (CCD)

The research area recognizes that changing environments and anthropogenic dynamics are closely related, whereupon a combination of relevant forces – including the unprecedented western life style, economic and demographic growth, urbanization - pose additional stress on Earth’s integrity and finally on humankind itself. It is very likely that mitigation efforts could be consumed by the growth dynamics in the developing countries. Read more...

The research is focusing on the spatial and dynamical aspects of urban space, to identify possible synergies and trade-offs among processes playing key roles in enhancing GHG mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability of urban populations. Urbanization is a major facet of the current rapid development. Cities exhibit common features so that generalized reductionist descriptions of city systems could be achieved. Read more.

Research on sustainability transitions aims at advancing the understanding of the dynamics of human-environment systems. We want to improve the evaluation of potential trade-offs and synergies between mitigation, adaptation and development. Read more.

The aim of this cross-cutting activity is to explore, design and implement innovative means to improve the accessibility of climate change related scientific results and to improve the understanding of complex scientific knowledge. We focus on two complementary branches: (i) tailored interactive digital information systems, and (ii) innovative media products. Read more.

Our team members are involved in several third-party funded research projects both as coordinators and as researchers. Topics include: adaptation and mitigation in cities, carbon-accounting for sustainability initiatives, sustainable land-use options and analysis of innovation trends.

Our researchers are aiming to publish their results in peer-reviewed ISI-journals. On this website we are gathering the latest publications in such journals as well as bookchapters, reports, studies and policy documents.

We are regularly organizing a PhD-seminar, where junior researchers can present their latest findings and discuss with their colleagues. Additionally, we are inviting external scholars to present and discuss their findings in the CCD-Colloquium. Everyone who is interested is welcome to join.

Both senior and junior researchers from our group are contributing to the module "Earth as a System: Assessment and Modelling of Man-Environment Interactions" held regularly at the University of Potsdam in the Institute of Earth and Environmental Science.